Wireless MRI Patient Communication Device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance apparatuses face challenges in reliable patient communication due to pneumatic systems that can be damaged during patient movement and microphones being far from the patient, leading to noisy and error-prone voice detection, which can cause anxiety and affect image quality.
Innovation Solution
A wireless patient communication device with a radio-frequency transmitter and antenna for contactless signal transmission, allowing flexible use without hardware connections, and a patient microphone arranged close to the patient to reduce ambient noise interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pneumatic patient call ball is used for communication, then communication functionality is provided, but the system becomes complex and unreliable due to required compressed air pipes that can be damaged during patient movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the pneumatic transmission medium (compressed air pipes) from the communication system, replacing it with a wireless communication system that transmits signals through electromagnetic fields. This eliminates the physical pipes that could be damaged during patient movement, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pneumatic system with an electronic/wireless communication system. Instead of using compressed air to transmit signals through physical pipes, the system uses radio frequency transmitters and receivers to communicate wirelessly, eliminating mechanical components and improving reliability.
2Reliability
If a patient microphone is placed at end regions of the patient accommodating region, then device complexity is reduced, but voice detection becomes unreliable due to loud ambient noises during examination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the microphone in close proximity to the patient's mouth rather than at distant end regions. This localized placement ensures that the microphone captures the patient's voice signals with high quality while minimizing pickup of ambient noises from the examination environment, thereby improving voice detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication interface as an intermediary between the patient and the control system. This allows for clear transmission of patient signals (voice or button presses) to the operator without being affected by ambient noises in the examination room, improving communication reliability.
3Ease of operation
If pneumatic pipes are installed for communication signal transmission, then communication functionality is achieved, but patient safety is compromised due to risk of pipe clamping and damage during patient couch movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the pneumatic pipes from the system by implementing wireless communication. This removal of physical transmission media eliminates the harmful factor of pipe clamping and damage during patient couch movement, while maintaining full communication functionality through wireless signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pneumatic pipe system with a wireless electromagnetic communication system. This substitution eliminates mechanical components that could be damaged during movement, thereby improving patient safety and ease of operation without compromising communication capabilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures reliable, simple, and anxiety-reducing communication during magnetic resonance examinations by providing a wireless, pipeless, and noise-reduced transmission of communication signals, improving patient safety and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
The communication element has a radio-frequency transmitter for contactless transmission of communication signals
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance apparatus includes a scanner, a patient accommodating region, a patient support apparatus which can be moved within the patient accommodating region and a patient communication device. The patient communication device includes at least one communication element which has a radio-frequency transmitter.